Well, that was one heck of a first half. We saw the Mariners come out 11-6 and looking like the class of the AL West, then fall all the way to 29-39 with questions about the manager and GM’s job security. Since then, 51-42, a fourteen game winning streak, two all-stars, and the dawn of one superstar.
With the Midsummer Classic behind us, I take a look ahead to the second half, with ten Mariners predictions on what we will see.
- Mariners survive the Gauntlet…barely
The Mariners are coming out of the All-Star break as the red hot darlings of baseball. That will be put to the test immediately after the break. The first series back is a pivotal one as the Mariners will be hosting the rival Houston Astros during a sellout weekend. This will begin a 20-game span where the Mariners will play the Astros and the Yankees 13 times. All the hard work that has been done the past three weeks could be ruined in another three weeks. Mariners will go 5-8, holding onto a wildcard spot, but barely. - Mariners lose out on Soto
Jerry Dipoto not only does his due diligence on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but he also gets to the goal line before coming up just short. In the end, Soto will end up on the St. Louis Cardinals. - Mariners land Montas instead
With the assets saved, Seattle ends up pivoting towards pitching, landing the best arm that is available. With Montas on board, Seattle stakes their claim to the best 1-3 in the American League behind Ray, Montas, and Gilbert.